I love ninebarks (Physocarpus), but they do get quite large. I trimmed mine (a Dart's Gold) the other day. It is about seven feet tall and five-six feet wide. I will cut it drastically late winter by cutting out a lot of the older canes. I do think they are wonderful shrubs. I have three others that are the straight species.

I went back and got them. Was scared they’d be gone after work tomorrow. This place goes through plants quick. I have a 10 foot section on each side of my front steps. Haven’t put any beds in because I wanted to find a good shrub as my base. Hoping this is it. Nervous about powdery mildew but this area is full sun and I’ll space them apart.

Your house is a lovely small house; even if the mature size of 4-5ft x 3-4 is correct, they are too large for in front of your porch, and if larger, they will eat your house.

Are you really 4'10" Roxanna? Me too (although I lie and claim to be 5ft).

Course, I am a giant in my own mind (ahem).

What a pretty house! As an alternative placement...have you thought of placing them in front of the fence in the side/back yard? Size may not be such an issue there.

Another idea might be to go lawn-free and plant it with native shrubs and perennials. The physocarpus shrubs could go nearer the outside or you could just try to keep them small with pruning. I have never done that, so I don't know how they would respond.

No input on the ninebark, but want to chime in and echo the sentiments that you have a lovely house!

suzy jackson ~ yes, I really am 4'10" ! I reached the high elevation of 4ft+ 11 3/4" at my peak (a thousand years ago) and always said back then if I ever reached a full five feet, I would throw a huge celebratory gala. That never happened, which is a pity, and never will occur now. "I'm shrinking, I'm shrinking" -- and no one threw water on me, either. Altho my nearest&dearest have been known to call me a witch upon occasion...

Off to hunt for a 'Savannah Sunset' Physocarpus. Oh, wait -- I know someone "here" who has cornered the market. So do I wait for a very dark night or one with a bit of moonlight so I can find James' house? My shovel is ready. Stay tuned...

I mail ordered one last falll and it came through the winter fine. My hesitation on european bred genetics is mildew depending how long its been over here. Some in my collection already have bad mildew but SS is clean so far. Hopefully it stays as compact as they claim.

They will be fill in that area. I had the tape measurer out before purchase. Unfortunately being a newer there isn’t many first hand experiences with mildew . It’s good to hear you didn’t have any mildew early on pennlake. What other varieties do you have ? Roxanna stop by whenever you want ! I will even do the shoveling for you !

Thanks pork chop!

James ~ awww! You are so nice! I am getting past my ability to do heavy digging, so I appreciate the offer, lol. I do hope that I will be able to find this lovely variety for myself somewhere. Do share more photos when you get all of yours planted! =)

Those are very attractive James. I will have to keep an eye open for them. This is my Coppertina. I had issues with PM, but now that it’s in the open I’ve had no problems. Hope yours are trouble-free!

How bad was the PM garden gal?

It appeared every year, and made for a pretty ugly plant. Didn’t kill it but it never got as large as it is now. It’s planted about 20’ from where I had it originally. IMO the more open siting has helped, but that doesn’t mean yours won’t do well. Give it a try, and move if it doesn’t do what you want.

James those are awesome - what wonderful coloring! And your house is lovely too! Don't you have that fabulous deck in back, with the iteas (I think it was?) planted there?

Never having had a ninebark ever, I bought three last year! I got a Summer Wine Black by mail-order last spring, a small little thing that is putting on great growth this spring.

Last fall I impulse-bought two at the same nursery while I was shopping for something (and someone!) else. I can't remember off the top of my head what they are, but I think it might be a Ginger Wine - I was literally showing my husband the gorgeous color on it today - and the other is a bright chartreusey green. They were both fairly large specimens on clearance last fall so who could resist?

The only thing is I had nowhere to put them but didn't want to overwinter in pots as usual, so I planted them (and about 7 other shrubs!!) in my vegetable garden.... of course today I'm trying to plant my vegetable garden so I spent half the day trying to either find big enough pots or figure out where to replant (probably temporarily) all the overwintered shrubs!

:)

Dee

Varieties showing mildew already are Angel, Dark Star, Petite Plum and Panther.

I use a mixture of low fat milk and water to combat PM on ninebark. you want to be very thorough and wet the upper and lower sides of the leaves. you should spray again after rain . i dont remember an exact ratio, but a 1/4 c milk to 32 oz h20 is a good estimate.

i swear it works. however the leaves which are badly affected and starting to curl,

cant be saved.

im about to cut down and dig out a 6’ dark leaved one. it gets mildew without fail . it doesnt bloom and is scraggly. it is not earning its keep. OTOH, the little coppery one with glowing interior leaves gets mild PM and responds well to the milky intervention.

i am disenchanted with these plants. Their susceptability to PM and raggedy form

are substantial drawbacks .

Finished up mulching today. I’ll keep the post updated with how they do with PM and in a few years check back in with if they stayed as compact as the tag says

Wheel barrow was tucked in the corner. Now it’s front and center

James your house is just so charming! Everything looks lovely. I personally prefer a look that is fuller with more flowers and less bare area, but it looks so fresh and neat and clean! Just beautiful. My yard is much more natural and rustic and messy. I can never seem to get it together enough so the whole yard looks neat. I get one or two beds neatend up and clean, but the rest aren't. I get to the rest and by this time the first few are looking messy again. It's a vicious circle lol.

LOVE the wheelbarrow. A customer of mine once had the best old rustic wheelbarrow, which we planted like that. I tried one in my garden one year but it just didn't look right. I think it was still too "new" - and probably too deep - and didn't give off rustic old-garden vibes. Yours looks so exuberant and wonderful.

Thank you for sharing!

:)

Dee

So far no powdery mildew.

Filling in nice. Added a flagstone walkway a few weeks ago too